Does the underside of a deck need to be sealed?

It is not necessary to stain the underside of your deck for protection from the elements, especially if you use pressure-treated wood, which helps keep wood-boring insects out.

How do you protect wood under a deck?

Sealant, stain, and paint can all be applied to a deck for different degrees of protection.

Sealants are primarily used to protect against moisture damage.
Stains always include pigmentation, which adds color to the deck and helps protect against UV damage.

How do you seal a deck underneath?

The best way to seal a deck is to dip the boards before installing them. This will give you 100% protection. This is very rarely done by the contractors. The only decks we clean and seal on the bottom side are what we call walk unders.

Do you paint underside of deck?

The underside is important because the water on your deck will dry on the top and run and hang onto the bottom. Expect to have to repaint the bottom faster than the top. But again with maintenance this is an easy job.

How do you waterproof under a deck?

The best way to waterproof under your deck is with a deck drainage system installed during construction. A drainage system diverts water away from the joists and beams. An over-the-joist deck drainage system such as Trex RainEscape provides 100% protection from the damage caused by wood repeatedly getting wet.

How often should a deck be painted?

A well-maintained deck not only looks great, it lasts longer, too. Decks should be refinished every two to three years. Deck maintenance, and when you should do it, depends on variables such as the type of deck material, the current condition of the wood, and more.

What lasts longer on a deck stain or paint?

While staining may take less time than painting, painting often does a better job of filling the cracks, covering imperfections, and provides longer lasting protection. Paint also is typically more rot resistance and does a better job of preventing mold and sun damage.